By: Clayton Browne | February 27, 2018

Many home remedies are useful treatments for a variety of common ailments. Some so-called “home remedies” are nothing but bunk, and some are actually dangerous too take.

In one recent case in point, a mom in Indianapolis stands accused by her husband of giving their child industrial bleach in a misguided effort to treat the little girl’s autism.

According to a report from a local Indianapolis TV station, the Indiana Department of Child Services has decided to take the child from the home when the father complained to police that his wife had put drops of hydrochloric acid and water purifying solution (contains chlorine) into her child’s drink.

The father apparently reported to law enforcement that his wife had heard about the fake remedy concoction from a Facebook group that called it a “miracle mineral solution” that is supposed to be a cure-all for medical conditions ranging from cancer to hepatitis to HIV.

Note that the FDA issued a warning about the product almost seven years ago. This dangerous home remedy is sold online under the name "Miracle Mineral Solution" (MMS) has been proven to cause serious harm to health.

The warning from the FDA explains that “The product instructs consumers to mix the 28 percent sodium chlorite solution with an acid such as citrus juice. This mixture produces chlorine dioxide, a potent bleach used for stripping textiles and industrial water treatment.”

The FDA warning continues to note: “High oral doses of this bleach, such as those recommended in the labeling, can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and symptoms of severe dehydration.”

Kelly Goudreau, clinical director of the Behavioral Center autism treatment center, note in a recent interview that it’s common for parents to try “home remedies.” She also made it very clear there is no “cure” for autism and any treatment that parents try should always be backed by research and real scientific evidence.

Some important facts about autism from the Autism Society:

- According to the CDC, close to 1 percent of the world population has autism spectrum disorder in 2014

- The prevalence of autism in the United States is estimated at 1 in 68 births per the CDC

- Over 3.5 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder (Buescher et al., 2014)

- According to the CDC, the rate of autism in US children increased by 119.4 percent from 2000 (1 in 150) to 2010 (1 in 68). This means that autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability.

- CDC data shows that the prevalence of autism among US children has increased by 6 to 15 percent each year from 2002 to 2010